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IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Trump allies' fact finding mission on white farmers and genocide may not change US President's mind
US President Donald Trump's narrative on white farmers received a backlash from his ally, Pastor Mark Burns (right). Image: X Mark Burns, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, has returned from a visit to South Africa with a message contradicting claims of genocide against white farmers in the country. However experts believe that Trump always knew that there was no white genocide in the country and even if Burns advises the US President otherwise, this will not make a difference. Burns, who is the founder and CEO of the NOW television network, met with white Afrikaner farmers and business owners during his trip and concluded that there is no evidence to support the claims of genocide. According to Burns, the farmers he met were shocked to discover that such claims were being made. "You were able to hear their perspectives. "From their point of view, being white Afrikaners, there is absolutely no genocide or white genocide in South Africa," Burns said. He added that the farmers were more concerned about crime and safety, rather than genocide. Burns cited statistics provided by a white farmer, which showed that out of 5,200 murders in the last reporting quarter, only 12 were related to farmers, and only three of those were white. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading "You clearly see that based on those statistics, and this was given to me by a farmer, a white farmer, and that to me speaks extreme volumes," he said. Despite the controversy, Burns is optimistic about the future of US-South Africa relations. He believes that a stronger South Africa is a stronger America, and vice versa. "If we are going to continue to make America great, partnering with South Africa is one of the components to do it," he said. Burns The question remains whether Burns' claims will change Trump's "belief" that there is a white genocide in South Africa. International relations expert Rich Mashimbye said for a while, the SA-US diplomatic tensions centred around the Trump-led government's accusations that the Ramaphosa government, was persecuting white South Africans and confiscating land from Afrikaner farmers while remaining silent. He said it did not matter what people said because Trump was aware there was no white genocide in South Africa but wanted to use the claim to get his way. 'As president of a country with one the largest embassies that is fully staffed in South Africa, Trump has access to all the information he requires about South Africa's transformation project and he likely knows that the issues of land reform and crime dynamics are not as has been portrayed so far. 'He knows that there is no genocide happening nor confiscation of white owned farms in South Africa. It is likely that the diplomatic attacks directed at South Africa are aimed at discouraging the Ramaphosa government from robustly executing the transformation project,' he said. Political analyst Sandile Swana said Burns' public statements were encouraging and showed that not everyone in Trump's camp agreed with him. 'To me they represent signs from the Trump's they have to tell a different story, which they are now doing…and a different story they are now telling is that whatever crime that is happening, is not a genocide but just crime that needs to be attended to." "There are about 600 American companies in South Africa such as Microsoft, IBM, Amazon, the Ford Motor Company and so on, so quite clearly the sources of information they have used (for the genocide claims) were not genuine. He said the country should welcome the efforts of Burns and hope that his camp will start to change their narrative to a much more sensible one.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Taylor Swift Fans Are Full of Emotions After She Buys Back Her Masters: ‘Taylor ALWAYS Wins'
Taylor Swift fans are very, very used to the pop star surprising them — but she might have just outdone herself with the announcement that she's purchased back the masters to her first six albums, following an arduous six-year fight to do so. The news comes after a bitter public feud with her old label boss Scott Borchetta, who in 2019 sold his Big Machine Label Group — along with Swift's catalog — for upwards of $300 million to Scooter Braun, a situation the 14-time Grammy winner said at the time was her 'worst-case scenario.' Also in a message posted to her Tumblr after the sale, she wrote that she'd learned about the deal 'as it was announced to the world' and added, 'All I could think about was the incessant, manipulative bullying I've received at his hands for years.' More from Billboard Taylor Swift Buys Back Her Masters: Read Her Full Letter The Amity Affliction Cover Turnstile's 'Holiday' for 'Like a Version' Mariah Carey Celebrates 20 Years of 'The Emancipation of Mimi': Stream It Now Braun would later sell his ownership of Swift's music to Shamrock Capital, and the musician would busy herself on a mission to re-record the albums she made with Big Machine. Fearless (Taylor's Version), Red (Taylor's Version), Speak Now (Taylor's Version) and 1989 (Taylor's Version) all sprung from this venture, topping the Billboard 200 each time and fueling the success behind Swift's blockbuster Eras Tour. So when the 'Fortnight' singer revealed in a letter on her website Friday (May 30) that she had finally won control over her masters, purchasing them from Shamrock for an amount that sources tell Billboard was about $360 million, fans were shocked — not just because of how long the journey has been up until this point, but also because of what it means for the long-awaited Taylor Swift and Reputation re-records. (In her letter, Swift shared that she's already finished re-doing the former, but hasn't even completed 'a quarter' of the latter. 'To be perfectly honest, it's the one album in those first six that I thought couldn't be improved upon by redoing it,' she wrote, adding that 'there will be a time … for the unreleased Vault tracks from that album to hatch.') The day has been full of mixed emotions for Swifties, as many are sad to hear that Reputation may not get the full Taylor's Version treatment after all. But more than anything, the overwhelming feeling in the fanbase's online community has been elation since Swift shared her news. 'THIS IS BETTER THAN REP TV,' one fan wrote on X. 'THIS IS REPUTATION!!!!!!! THE WHOLE THING!!! RECLAIMING HERSELF!!!!! ALL. OF. IT.' 'the moral of the story is taylor ALWAYS wins in the end,' another person posted, while a third Swiftie wrote, 'oh taylor you are so loved. the whole world was rooting for you.' Many fans have also been rejoicing in the fact that they can now stream the original versions of Swift's first six albums without having to worry anymore about supporting her competitors. 'I'm so happy for Taylor Swift!' wrote one happy camper on X. 'She owns all of it!!!!!! I can now go back and listen to all of her original albums and not feel guilty 😭 TODAY IS A GOOD DAY!!!!!' See how Swifties are reacting to the singer's big purchase below. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Concerns rise as South Africans in KwaZulu-Natal deregister as voters for bribes
The IEC alleged that some South Africans in KwaZulu-Natal were deregistering as voters and abandoning their citizenship in exchange for bribes. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers Councillors and officials at the Msunduzi Municipality have been told that some residents in KwaZulu-Natal, including the Umgungundlovu District Municipality, are deregistering as voters and South Africans in exchange for bribes from unidentified people. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)'s Umngungudlovu District Manager, Khulekani Mdadane, revealed this ahead of Msunduzi Mayor, Mzimkhulu Thebolla, delivering the city's annual budget on Wednesday. Mdadane did not say who stood to benefit by bribing South Africans to deregister as voters and abandon their citizenship. 'We are worried that we are currently inundated with a number of people who are visiting our office intending to deregister or wanting to be removed from the voters roll,' said Mdadane. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ He said this was flying in the face of the IEC's mandate of maintaining the voters roll and encouraging young people who have turned 16 to register. 'Daily, we are receiving one, two, or three voters (who want to deregister), which has raised serious worries for the IEC. 'It is not only this district, I am told that it is happening in other districts in this province of KwaZulu-Natal,' said Mdadane. He said the IEC had conducted an investigation to establish what was happening and established that voters were being misled and promised money. 'They are being promised a lump sum of money, and they are told that they have to deregister with the IEC, and step two is to deregister with the Home Affairs, which seriously worries us because the moment you deregister with the Home Affairs, it means you are no longer a citizen of this country. 'I made this presentation to amakhosi at the beginning of this year because we are really worried,' said Mdadane. He said councillors, as members of various political parties, had for years played their role in encouraging voters to register with the IEC. 'Now you need to be aware that, as much as we have a duty, you have a duty now to discourage people from deregistering as voters.' He said since the country's law allowed people to deregister as voters, 'so when they visit the office, we have no option but to adhere to their call if they want to deregister'. 'So, two or three people a day is not a small number, so the numbers are increasing daily,' said Mdadane. He said the local IEC office did not have the power to deregister voters. 'We interrogate a person, and with those reasons and ID copy that a person needs to provide to the office, we send that to the national office, which is the one that has the power to deregister a person from the voters roll. 'They are doing exactly that, and I am glad that the national office is now realising this and is also worried that the number of deregistrations in KZN is increasing daily,' he said. Mdadane was hoping the IEC national leaders would take the matter to the national legislature. Commenting on this, Thebolla, who is the ANC chairperson in the region, said this required the attention of the National Assembly 'because it is a crime to encourage people to register'.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns eye redemption in Cairo after late slip in CAF Champions League final first leg
Mothobi Mvala has urges Mamelodi Sundowns to stay focused and 'defend with the ball' ahead of their decisive CAF Champions League final second leg against Pyramids in Cairo. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix After finally breaking their CAF Champions League semi-final curse, Mamelodi Sundowns must overcome a defensive obstacle in order to boost their silverware chances. Sundowns are in the continental showpiece final for the first time since winning the crown in 2016, having exited in the semi-finals in the past two seasons. However, they did not start the first leg of the two-legged final on a positive note, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by fellow finalists Pyramids at home, Loftus Versfeld, last Saturday. Sundowns allowed Pyramids to sneak in the equaliser deep in stoppage time, giving the Egyptian side a crucial away goal advantage heading into the second leg in Cairo on Sunday night (7pm kick-off). 𝑹𝑶𝑨𝑫 𝑻𝑶 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑭𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑳 𝑶𝑭 𝑭𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑳𝑺 🌍🏆 As the team prepares for the biggest test yet, Jayden Adams, club legend Tiyani Mabunda, and supporter Lindiwe Mashele carry the heart and hope of Masandawana into the second leg. 🙌 The journey continues, Watch Episode 6… — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 27, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Despite being the best team domestically — with eight successive Premiership titles — and one of the most consistent on the continent, lapses in concentration have plagued Sundowns' cup campaigns. The Brazilians have often conceded late, costly goals that have derailed their ambitions. They have suffered similar setbacks in Africa, including Mothobi Mvala's own goal in the dying moments of last year's semi-final second leg against Wydad Casablanca. With the need to score and avoid conceding in Cairo, Mvala has spoken openly about what must change for the team to progress. Final session before we jet off to Cairo. All focused on the mission ahead. 😤#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #RabatsenaGape — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 27, 2025 'Conceding in the last minutes of the game hurts a lot — especially when you look at the last few big tournaments,' Mvala said. 'In knockout games, that's when we actually lose concentration. The same thing happened against Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final, Magesi in the Carling Knockout final, and Wydad. 'The only thing we need to do now is defend with the ball. Keep possession and not allow them to regain it or deliver crosses into the box. If you recall, in all our games towards the end, we always concede from crosses, and that's something we're aware of and trying our best to stop.' Mvala has not featured as much as he would have liked in the Champions League knockout stage due to a lengthy injury layoff. However, having regained full fitness, he is ready to contribute when needed — especially with a clean sheet being pivotal in the second leg. Mothobi Mvala after the victory in Egypt 🇪🇬 — K.L.16 (@LangaKhulekani) April 27, 2025 'Definitely, I am still part of the team. For me, it's about supporting the guys who are playing, because they've been doing well,' Mvala said. 'Grant (Kekana) has been doing well — I think he has played in almost all the games. Mosa (Lebusa) and Mali (Khozai) came in and have also done well. 'So, it becomes very difficult for the coach to take them out and put me in. I am happy with the way the coach has managed me. 'Hopefully, I'll get my chance, but the guys have been doing well. I just have to wait for my opportunity.' Sundowns have enjoyed productive trips to Cairo in recent years — including a 1-1 draw with Al Ahly in the semi-final second leg that booked their spot in the final. 'We've been lucky in Egypt, so hopefully that luck will be with us again against Pyramids,' Mvala said. 'Playing against them in Egypt is always going to be tough. The nice thing is that we've played them before. Hopefully, lady luck will smile on us again.'
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Current group of Mamelodi Sundowns players will be special if they surpass Class of 2016
Former Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Sibusiso Vilakazi. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media Mamelodi Sundowns legend Sibusiso Vilakazi says he cannot compare the club's current squad with the class of 2016, as both have achieved honours in their own right. Sundowns are set to contest the CAF Champions League final for the first time since Vilakazi's generation lifted the trophy in 2016. That historic triumph marked the club's first continental crown. Coach Miguel Cardoso's side faces an uphill battle heading into the second leg of the final against Pyramids FC in Cairo on Sunday, following a 1-1 draw in Pretoria. But with the return leg taking place at the 30 June Stadium, hopes remain high that Sundowns can turn the tie around and secure a second star above their crest. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Victory would also see them qualify for the expanded Fifa Club World Cup in the US next month, representing Africa as continental champions. Should they not only win the Champions League but also progress beyond the group stage in North America — surpassing the achievements of the 2016 squad — the question naturally arises: could they be the greatest Sundowns generation ever? Vilakazi, speaking on the sidelines of the Carling Black Label partnership event with Sundowns on Tuesday, preferred not to indulge in such comparisons. 'I am one person that likes to just appreciate eras,' Vilakazi said. 'If the era is doing well, there's no comparison for me. It's different eras. I don't want to expand.' However, he acknowledged that the current team benefits from the international exposure and experience of several of its players, which could give them an edge in both the final and on the global stage.
